University of Alabama names Joe Benson interim provost

Joe Benson has been named the University of Alabama’s interim provost.

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Staff report

Published: Monday, November 12, 2012 at 4:17 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, November 12, 2012 at 4:17 p.m.

TUSCALOOSA | Joe Benson has been named the University of Alabama’s interim provost.

A longtime faculty member and administrator, Benson has served as vice president for research and vice provost at UA since 2009. He will continue to serve as vice president for research as well as provost until his planned retirement next summer.

“Dr. Benson is a respected member of the faculty and an academic leader,” Bonner said in a statement. “He has been the president of the UA Faculty Senate, chair of the department of geology, and associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, in addition to his current position.”

Bonner said she will announce search committees for the positions of provost and vice president for the Office of Research in the coming weeks.

Benson began his professional career at UA in 1978 as an assistant professor of geology.

Benson was promoted to associate professor and then professor. He served as chair of the department of geological sciences from 1990-1998, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 1998-2001 and senior associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 2001-2007.

Benson earned his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Cincinnati and his bachelor’s degree from the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio.

<p>TUSCALOOSA | Joe Benson has been named the University of Alabama's interim provost. </p><p>A longtime faculty member and administrator, Benson has served as vice president for research and vice provost at UA since 2009. He will continue to serve as vice president for research as well as provost until his planned retirement next summer.</p><p>“Dr. Benson is a respected member of the faculty and an academic leader,” Bonner said in a statement. “He has been the president of the UA Faculty Senate, chair of the department of geology, and associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, in addition to his current position.”</p><p>Bonner said she will announce search committees for the positions of provost and vice president for the Office of Research in the coming weeks. </p><p>Benson began his professional career at UA in 1978 as an assistant professor of geology. </p><p>Benson was promoted to associate professor and then professor. He served as chair of the department of geological sciences from 1990-1998, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 1998-2001 and senior associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 2001-2007. </p><p>Benson earned his master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Cincinnati and his bachelor's degree from the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio.</p>